The Guardian of Hope found himself stood hidden in the trees that surrounded the pond that the newest Immortal and Spirit of Winter is about to be born from with no memories of his mortal life and only being told his name, Jack Frost.
As he waited for Jack to emerge from under the ice Aster was joined by the leader of the Winter Fae from a place called Neverland, as several of the Fae landed on the ice near the place where Jack had fallen into the water.
"MiM told us that a new winter spirit is about to be born, is it true Aster?" The leader of the Winter Fae wanted to know.
"Ah, it is true. His name is to be Jack Frost and he's not just any winter spirit, he's the Spirit of Winter which means…"
"This means he will be the one to rule over all other winter beings. If he is to be a seasonal spirit why is MiM the one who is making him Immortal? I thought Mother Nature is the one in charge of making seasonal spirits."
"She is but Jack is special, he was never a mortal to begin with. Jack was born to one of the lesser constellations during the Golden Age but certain circumstances made me bring him here to Earth during this time. You know how I used to travel through time?" The Fae nodded.
Aster continued. "Come with me Lord Milori, it's not safe to talk about Jack any further out here. I need to inform the others about our newest Immortal anyway and I'll explain on the way to the Pole."
Aster tapped the ground as Lord Milori landed on his shoulder, Aster then jumped down into the hole, making sure it closed up behind them before any unwanted intruder could get in. Once he was sure it was safe Aster told him more about Jack's role in the future.
"Jack is to become a Guardian but he will have to overcome some trials before he does. Unlike the rest of the Guardians Jack actually died which is why MiM's moonbeams are there at the pond and since he died he will have no memories of his life before this night.
You see, Jack is important in defeating Pitch in the future with the help of a few children that have yet to be born and won't be born for three hundred years."
"Wow that is quite an honor. How old is the Spirit of Winter anyway?"
"He's only fourteen so he's quite young compared to the rest of us. I'm worried that the rest Immortals might treat him like a baby, which he is but still, it wouldn't be right.
He is a star child after all and our hope for the future. Do you think you and the Fae under you could keep an eye out for him when I am unable to?"
"I'll arrange for a few of my winter Fairies to watch out for Jack as well as inform them that who he truly is will have to remain a secret for the time being." Lord Milori answered as Aster jumped out of the tunnel at the Pole and went inside to talk with North.
"Are you sure?" North questioned as soon as Aster finished telling him about Jack.
"Of course I'm sure North, I was the one who brought him here to this time not long after he was born after all. Jack Frost was born to one of the lesser constellations in fact he is Nightlight's twin brother and, yes, he already knows, MiM told me that he has already informed Nightlight of Jack and who he is." Aster proclaimed.
North was about to speak up when what Aster just said sunk in and his mouth fell open, his eyes going wide. "Wha…wait Nightlight has…has a…twin?" He stuttered in astonishment.
Aster just nodded once before he replied, "We have to make sure Pitch doesn't find out the truth about him or it could end up a disaster. Who knows what Pitch would do to Jack if he found out the truth about him? You don't mind if I bring him here to you for protection, do you?"
"No of course not, Jack Frost is welcome to stay here when he's not out spreading winter. I will let the yetis know so they don't throw Jack out when he does show up. I'll even have a room fixed up just for the child." Aster thanked him then turned to leave to return to Jack.
Before he could leave, North and Aster received an urgent message that Nightlight had collapsed that afternoon and hasn't woken up yet. "This isn't good North we had better get to Santoff Claussen to make sure he's alright." Aster stated as he opened up a tunnel to Ombric's village.
The minute Aster and their leader left, the Fae's went to play with the newborn Immortal as he tested out his new powers on the icy pond with his staff, which Aster had retrieved and placed on the pond for Jack to find.
"Come play with us Jack." The Fae called to him, their voices caused Jack to spin towards them and a smile lit up his face.
"You know me?" He asked, playfulness and joy in his voice.
"Yes we do, we've come to help you learn to control your powers and play with you."
"We have some control over winter just like you but we'll be more like your helpers when there's need to bring winter to the Earth."
"If you like you may come with us to Neverland during the warm seasons of Earth."
Jack listened as three of the Fae spoke. "I'd like to join you in Neverland…I just don't know where it's at or how to get to it." He replied.
The Fae giggled, "That's easy, you just fly to the second star on the right until you reach Neverland." One of them answered.
Quickly he glanced to where the Fae pointed then turned his gaze back on them. "Will you teach me to fly?"
Without warning the wind blew past and lifted Jack up to let him know it will help him to fly. All the Fae cheered as the wind offered to help Jack fly. "It seems the wind likes you Jack." Another of the Fae commented as they joined him.
"There is one thing we must warn you about though you must stay away from the humans."
Jack blinked at the Fae who spoke. "Why?" He wanted to know.
"They're dangerous and could hurt you Jack."
"I understand, stay away from humans or I could get hurt." Jack recited. "Can we go play now?" He then asked eager to have some fun.
The winter Fae all laughed but agreed with Jack and they were soon having fun as they raced through the trees.
When he back at the pond Aster became worried when he didn't see Jack or the winter fae and was about to begin searching the woods for them when he heard laughter from above him, which caused him to lift his head upwards to spot Jack flying on the wind while the winter fae circled him.
Lord Milori called for the owl he rode, climbed on its back and had it fly to where Jack and the winter Fae were. "Jack, come there is someone who wants to speak with you." He stated once he was in front of Jack.
Jack nodded and followed Lord Milori to where Aster waited. "Whoa, what are you?" Jack gasped once he saw Aster.
"I'm a Pooka though mortals on Earth call me the Easter Bunny. My name is E. Aster Bunnymund but my friends call me Bunny and I'm the Guardian of Hope."
"Bunny?" Jack snickered.
"Yes Bunny, do ya have a problem with my name mate." Aster snapped.
"Uh no, it's just…your name sounds like someone would name a girl." Jack got out before he burst into laughter.
Aster raised a brow at Jack, "Is that so Jack, well then maybe I'll start calling you Snowflake so that we both have girl names."
"You wouldn't." Jack was inches from Aster in a second when he said that.
"Try me…Snowflake." Aster responded as he leaned closer to Jack, a smirk on his face.
Jack grinned before he moved back from Aster. "You win I won't make fun of your name anymore." He conceded.
"You better not." Aster huffed as he calmed down. "Anyway I want you to come with me there is someone I think you should meet. He has agreed to let you stay with him whenever you want and is preparing a room just for you."
"But…I already told the winter fairies that I would go with them to Neverland." Jack protested.
Aster sighed and was about to reply when Lord Milori spoke up. "You could rotate between Neverland and the Pole." He suggested.
"That's a good idea and while you're in Neverland you could meet the other Seasonal Spirits. Spring, Summer and Autumn. They all go to Neverland when it's not their season." Aster agreed. "In fact you may be able to go there after we get done at the Pole."
"That would be great, so how are we getting to this place…the Pole?" Jack replied before he let out a startled yelp as the ground opened up underneath him and he fell into the hole followed by a smirking Aster.